LAS VEGAS — Usher led a colorful and dizzyingly choreographed Super Bowl halftime show performance Sunday, joined on stage by Alicia Keys, H.E.R., will.i.am, Ludacris and Lil Jon for a massive collaboration.
The performance began simply enough, with Usher dropping layers from his all-white outfit as he moved through some of his greatest hits. Alicia Keys played a massive red piano in an energetic duet, wearing a massive, flowing crimson dress.
Around the eight-minute mark of his performance, H.E.R. emerged from the smoke and into the spotlight for a guitar solo.
From that moment, the tone of the performance shifted, with Usher’s mostly solo show being quickly replaced with blue and black-wearing dancers on rollerblades. As Usher joined them skating around the stage, his other musical guests began popping up, as if appearing from nowhere to join the fun.
How to watch the full Usher Super Bowl halftime show
The NFL posted the full show to its YouTube channel. You can watch it at this link here or click the embedded link below (the NFL turned off the option for watching the embedded YouTube player on secondary websites).
Usher’s halftime show performance came two days after he released his first album in eight years. “Coming Home” dropped Friday, and the singer announced a U.S. tour in support of the album, with tickets going on sale Monday.
According to Google trends data provided by the search giant, Usher’s performance may have inspired people to pick up a new hobby. “Adult piano lessons near me” spiked +250% during the halftime show.
And in the second half of Usher’s performance, searches for “roller skates” jumped +1,850%. Apparently “roller skates vs roller blades” was also a breakout search.
People also had a lot of questions about Usher as he performed. Here’s the answers to the big questions from the Super Bowl 58 halftime show:
How old is Usher?
Usher is 45 years old.
Is Usher married?
No, Usher isn’t currently married. However, a report from People on Sunday night said the Super Bowl halftime performer and his girlfriend, Jenn Goicoechea, obtained a marriage license on Feb. 8 in Las Vegas, just three days before the Super Bowl.
Who is Jenn Goicoechea?
Jenn Goicoechea, Usher’s girlfriend, is a senior vice president for Epic Records. The pair have two children together.
Who sang with Usher at the Super Bowl?
Alicia Keys, H.E.R., will.i.am, Ludacris and Lil Jon all joined Usher on stage at some point in the performance.
How tall is Usher?
Usher is 5’8″ — exactly the same height as Ludacris.
Where is Usher from?
Usher was born in Dallas, Texas.
How much did Usher pay for Super Bowl?
Usher didn’t pay to be in the Super Bowl. But he also didn’t get paid. The NFL doesn’t pay Super Bowl performers, who make money from the game with increased album sales.
Is Usher a kappa?
No, Usher didn’t go to college, although he was given an honorary degree from Berklee College Of Music. Two Brothers from the predominantly Black Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity did join him on stage during the performance.
Were Usher and Alicia Keys together?
Nope, Alicia Keys and Usher aren’t dating. Keys is married to producer and rapper Swizz Beatz. Usher did hold the “No One” singer in an intimate moment during the performance.
“Y’all talking about the wrong damn thing !!! y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium,” he posted to Instagram.
Who sings ‘Turn Down for What’?
Well, during the Super Bowl, Usher sang “Turn Down for What.” But the original song was performed by Lil Jon — who helped sing it during the performance — in a collaboration with producer DJ Snake.